Cafecito Review

Isabel Alia Arias

As a Miami native, I consider myself an expert on Cuban food. Now, living in Chicago, I try to find the best restaurants serving up a taste from my home, and the Cuban chain Cafecito is one of the highly recommended restaurants in the area. Known for their creative vegan options and offerings as “a taste of Cuba in the Loop,” Cafecito serves up casual, unpretentious fare that is perfect for people like me, looking for a memory of home, or anyone who is interested in trying Cuban food for the first time. I knew I had to check it out, so I visited Cafecito in the Loop on Congress Parkway, which was tucked away in a hotel lobby.

Cafecito’s welcoming and eclectic interior

Immediately after walking in, I was greeted with familiar Cuban music playing softly from overhead speakers and the smell of freshly pressed Cubanos (a deliciously meaty Cuban sandwich). The restaurant uses a casual counter service model, and when I ordered at the front at 11:30am, there was barely a wait. I would caution against going any weekday at 12:00pm to avoid the lunch rush, as the restaurant tends to get crowded. The environment was lively and filled with a mix of office workers and families. I loved the friendly vibe, and was already excited for my meal. My friend and I ordered a cafecito, a Cubano, the Guava-Q sandwich with roasted chicken, a Sabor Impossible Sandwich (which is vegan), and, of course, a side of maduros.

The cafecito, which is a single shot of espresso with a creamy topping, was packed with a sugary flavor and energized me with every sip. The cafecito was sweet but not overpowering, and had a delicious coffee flavor that wasn’t too bitter. As a coffee lover, I approved. Next, we tried the golden-brown maduros, which are sweet fried plantains, that were perfectly crispy and practically melted in my mouth.. I enjoyed them as a palate cleanser in between the hearty sandwiches.

All the sandwiches were on Cuban bread, which added a nice crunch to eat bite. My friend and I ordered the Guava Q sandwich, and we opted for the chicken option. The sandwich had succulent roasted chicken that was positively smothered in guava BBQ sauce, which made for a messy but delicious experience. The tangy, spicy, and tropical flavor of the sauce paired well with the crisp jicama slaw, as the sweet caramelized onions. Overall, I loved the sandwich, and I think it was a nice way of mixing American and Cuban flavors.

Next, we tried the Sabor Impossible sandwich, which was delicious and packed to the brim with impossible meat, vegan cheese, spinach, onion, pickle, tomato, and topped off with a vegan chipotle mayo sauce. I could not tell that this sandwich was vegan: the meat was hearty and the cheese was perfectly melted, and the overall flavor was more light and balanced with the crunch of the spinach, setting it apart from the other “meaty” sandwiches. The chipotle mayo sauce was creamy and tangy, so I had to order a side of it. This sandwich was the hidden gem of our order. If you are a vegan looking for good Cuban food, then the sandwich is the perfect option, as the seasoning of the meat still offers the familiar taste of Cuban cuisine.

The Cubano —a classic Cuban sandwich on toasted crispy bread and filled to the brim with pork and ham— was the star of the show, and is Cafecito’s signature item. The sandwich achieves a balance of flavors with the saltiness of the ham, the richness of the roast pork, the creaminess of the cheese, and the tanginess of the pickles and mustard. This sandwich was a textbook Cubano that transported me back to Miami.

If you are on the lookout for Cuban food, Cafecito is the place to be, especially for vegans. I would recommend anyone to check it out as they have multiple locations around the city and offer reasonable prices for satisfying portions. I’ve found Chicago to be desperately lacking in quality Cuban food, but I now consider Cafecito to be an unsung hero of the Cuban food scene in Chicago, and the perfect place to go to satisfy my cravings.